2015 Lamborghini Aventador on 2040-cars

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Audi considering turbo option for longer, wider Hurac?n-based R8

The debut of the Lamborghini Huracán was (and remains) big news in and of itself, but equally as exciting is the imminent arrival of the Audi R8, which the Huracán presages. While the two will share a common architecture, don't expect that new R8 will simply be a cheaper version of the Huracán (like the current one arguably is to the Gallardo).
For one, the next R8 will be larger than the Huracán. According to emerging intelligence, Audi will make its sports car both longer and wider than the Lamborghini version. It'll also share the new Lambo's innovative carbon-fiber structure that will replace both the firewall and central tunnel. But to power it all, Audi will get more creative.
The next R8 will, like the current model and like the Huracán, offer a V10 engine at the top of the range. It will also offer the same 4.2-liter V8 as the outgoing model. But that won't be the end of the matter. Word has it that Audi is also working on a smaller, turbocharged engine to offer in certain markets that mandate smaller-capacity engines.

Performance doesn't matter anymore, it's all about the feel

We've just had a week of supercars and high-end EVs revealed. Many of them boast outrageous performance specs. There were multiple vehicles with horsepower in the four-figure range, and not just sports cars, but SUVs with 0-60 mph times under 3.5 seconds. And it's not just a rarified set of supercar builders, comparatively small tuners are also building this stuff. Going fast is easy nowadays and getting easier. So what will distinguish the greats from the wannabes? It's all about how a car feels. This may seem obvious. "Of course it matters that a car should have good steering feel and a playful chassis!" you say. "Why are you being paid for this stuff?" But a lot of automakers have missed the memo. This past week I spent some time in a BMW M4 Competition convertible, and it's a perfect example of prioritizing performance over experience. It boggles my mind how a company can create such dead and disconnected steering; the weight never changes, there's no feel whatsoever. The chassis is inflappable, but to a fault, because it doesn't feel like anything you're doing is difficult or exciting. The car is astoundingly fast and capable, but it feels less like driving a car and more like tapping in a heading on the Enterprise-D. I also happened to drive something of comparable performance that was much more enjoyable: a Mercedes-AMG GT. It was a basic model with the Stealth Edition blackout package, and even though it had a twin-turbo V8 instead of a six-cylinder, it only made 20 more horsepower. The power wasn't the big differentiator, it was (say it with me) the feel. While not the best example, the steering builds resistance as you dial in lock, giving you a better idea of what's happening up front. Pulses and vibrations come back to you as you move over bumpy pavement in corners. The chassis isn't quite as buttoned down, either, providing a little bit of body roll that tells you you're pushing it. It's also easier to feel when the car is wanting to understeer or oversteer, and how your throttle and steering inputs are affecting it. The whole thing is much more involving, exciting and fun. 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Stealth Edition View 8 Photos That's also to say nothing of the Merc's sounds. That V8 is maybe not the best sounding engine, but its urgent churn through the opened-up exhaust gets your heart racing. It also seems like it's vibrating the whole cabin, so you feel it as much as you hear it.

Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster will debut in Monterey

While the Monterey Car Week and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance remain a brilliant place to watch cars (and people), it just wouldn't be the same if some of the world's finest automakers didn't bring something new to the affair. Lamborghini will take center stage in the lead up to this year's Concours, unveiling the all-new Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster at The Quail on Friday, August 14. While normally we'd say that details are scarce, the truth is, we expect the Aventador SV Roadster to simply mimic the standard SV hardtop. That should mean a screaming, 740-horsepower V12, a sub-three-second sprint to 60 miles per hour, a 200-mph-plus top speed, and a price tag in excess of half a million dollars. The SV Roadster will be limited to just 500 units, making it rare even among the ultra-pricey world of Lamborghini. Look for much more on the SV Roadster when it makes its debut next week at The Quail, in sunny California. Until then, scroll down for Lambo's brief press release. Related Video: Sant'Agata Bolognese 7th August 2015 – Automobili Lamborghini will present the global unveiling of the Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster during a press conference at "The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering" on Friday, August 14 at 10 a.m. Following the sold-out coupe, Lamborghini will offer a more exclusive option for customers seeking the performance associated with the Superveloce moniker and the joy of open cockpit driving. Representing a true expression of super sports car purity, the Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster is limited to a 500-unit production run. Further details about pricing, dealer delivery and specifications will be released in conjunction with the official debut.